C1 Session 20: In Pursuit of Aid

 RaGinn, hearing the door opening, rushes into the Cistern casting thamaturgy causing the walls to rumble and shake. Silas steps forward and the two assure they are who they say they are. Silas tells RaGinn to meet him in the Hall as it is safer. The group arrives at Nightengale Hall to only two known remaining members of the guild, Silas and his daughter Valdani. Silas tells the Doomslayers about what happened in the Cistern. Drathis showed up demanding audience with the guild. He told them that RaGinn is now dead and his last words were that Drathis was to take over and lead the Guild. He gives an emboldened speech about pledging their loyalty to him, halting all Guild jobs in order to send everyone out in order to search for items for Drathis. The room is tense and one of the members challenges Drathis. He became angry and his body began to levitate. A wave of some unknown force blasts out from Drathis causing the Guild to go into a frenzied rage, attacking each other and fighting to the death. Silas and Valdani are untouched by this magick and are able to escape. He and his daughter stay in Nightengale Hall for safety with Silas watching the entrance to the Cistern. 

Concerned with the news he has just heard, RaGinn tells Silas he needs the message sent out "the children of the shadows call upon the sky's oath." Silas explains that he would like to send Valdani with him as he feels it would be safer for her. The group decides to stay in Nightengale Hall and leave for Ivarstead in the morning. Wuunferth tosses around the possibility of summoning Deadric Princes for assistance, to which the group quickly talks him down.

Nirius goes to the trees around the Hall and speaks. He asks for the trees assistance and a gentle breeze picks up, rustling the leaves and giving him a sense of comfort and reassurance. As he explains his need further, he begins to feel extremely homesick. Nirius spends his night of rest in the tree.

Silas, RaGinn and Valdani meet together in The Oath Room in order to summon Nocturnal. She appears and they have a lengthy discussion with her about the situation at hand. She is sympathetic and expresses that if a mortal of that magnitude is aware of the Orbs, then all of Nirn is in danger. RaGinn asks her for permission to keep certain items safe, to which she acquiesces. She imbues the three with luck, telling them that they have done well before leaving them.

During their journey to Ivarstead Nirius once again approaches the trees, but gets nothing. He assumes it is because he has been separated from his path for so long. Wuunferth and Nirius spend some time talking about their journey, specifically Nirius' time hunting Drathis.

RaGinn expresses concern to Valdani and what she has just gone through. She expresses concern for him in return. He tells her that they cannot forget their task with Nocturnal and must protect it with more than their lives.

Ephyra inquires with Hella about how she is doing. Hella shares her apprehensions and fears and how she had originally wanted to pick up her fathers ashes in Riften but never was able to considering what happened between her and Wuunferth. She explains how difficult it has been being forced into this, and forced into a name change. She then tells Ephyra that she wants to be called Julida again and eventually acquires the bravery to tell Wunnferth the same.

The group encounters four Owlbears after Nirius casts bonfire on some bushes, frightening the creatures. A battle ensues with Nirius eventually casting animal friendship on two of the Owlbears, convincing them to run off. The last two are dealt with quickly.